A Clermont man was arrested when the manager at O’Reilly Auto Parts noticed her employee was processing possibly fraudulent returns worth over $4,500.
A deputy responded to O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 1350 U.S. Hwy. 27, regarding an internal theft around 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, according to a case report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the deputy met with the store manager who advised that while reviewing “high risk funds,” she noticed possible fraudulent returns. She confronted 22-year-old Corey Antonio Baez that afternoon about the high number of cash refunds on car batteries, the report said.
Baez told the manager that he was struggling financially and had been processing fraudulent returns for cash since January. She went on to find a total of 16 transactions with a total theft of $4,753.69. He then completed a voluntary employee statement, the report said.
The deputy read his rights to Baez, and he agreed to speak with law enforcement. He reiterated that he was struggling financially and was behind on rent. He stated that he had been using old receipts to process fraudulent returns for cash, the report said.
Baez was subsequently arrested on charge of scheme to defraud. The Pennsylvania native was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.
